Food Stamp Calendar: Utah Horizon Map for December 2022 and Where to Get SNAP Discounts

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Utah are administered by the state’s Department of Workforce Services (DWS), which also schedules benefit payments. Utah follows the same three-day payment schedule each month, including December 2022.

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Utah residents who think they might be eligible for food assistance through SNAP should first speak with an eligibility specialist. You can apply online at jobs.utah.gov/mycase or in person at an employment center. Alternatively, the DWS can mail you an application, although you may lose benefits due to mailing delays. When you are approved, benefits begin on the day of application.

No documents are required to apply for SNAP benefits in Utah, but you will need identification. Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for expedited service.

SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income households. Although part of the United States Department of Agriculture, the program is administered at the state level. In Utah, your SNAP benefits are deposited monthly to the Horizon Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

The Horizon EBT is only used for SNAP and financial or cash assistance – you can no longer use it to pay for childcare. Once you’ve been approved for SNAP, your Horizon card will arrive in a white envelope with an out-of-state address. When it arrives, you can select a PIN to protect your account.

You can check your EBT account balance by calling (800) 997-4444, accessing your account through the Connect EBT mobile app for Android and IOS, or using the website at ConnectEBT.com

Utah Horizon cards can be used at grocery stores and SNAP-approved retailers to purchase the following groceries:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry and fish

• Dairy products

• Breads and cereals

• Snacks and soft drinks

• Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household.

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Some of the items you cannot purchase with SNAP benefits include alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vitamins, drugs, supplements, live animals, pet food, cleaning products, paper and cosmetics. In Utah, you also cannot use your EBT card to purchase hot meals prepared at the point of sale because it is not one of the states that participates in the SNAP restaurant meal program.

How to Score EBT Discounts

SNAP benefits in Utah and elsewhere also come with perks that go beyond the purchase of food, including discounts on select products and services. Here is a brief overview of the savings possibilities offered by your EBT card:

• Amazon Prime discount: Recipients of SNAP and SNAP EBT Cash benefits (or Medicaid benefits) are eligible for a 50% discount on their Prime memberships. To see if you qualify, visit amazon.com/prime/qualifiify.

• Museum discounts: Those with SNAP benefits can enjoy free or reduced admission to more than 850 museums and arts groups across the United States, including through the Museums for All program. According to the Food Stamps Now website, participating Utah museums include the Art Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City, the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm in St. George, the St. George’s Children’s Museum in St. George, the Box Elder Natural History Museum in Brigham City, and the Brigham City Museum of Art and History.

• Agricultural markets: You can also use your SNAP EBT card at participating farmers markets to purchase fresh produce. The USDA Food Nutrition Service provides a monthly list of the names and locations of markets across the country that are currently authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

• Lifeline program: If you are a SNAP beneficiary and your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for free or low-cost landline or cell phone service through the Federal Lifeline program. You can also benefit from discounted Internet service. Check with your provider to see if they offer the program.

With few exceptions, those applying for or receiving SNAP in Utah must participate in the Employment and Training (E&T) program to continue receiving benefits. The E&T program is designed to help you gain the skills needed to find work and increase your household income. Entrants must complete the following activities online at jobs.utah.gov:

• Register as a job seeker and complete a brief assessment of your personal job search readiness

• Attend a scheduled SNAP E&T virtual workshop

• Based on the results of the job search readiness assessment, complete online workshops that cover useful topics such as resume writing, interviewing, and networking

• Make job contacts and keep an online diary of job search progress

Participants must also attend monthly appointments with their assigned employment counselor.

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Utah SNAP benefits are available on the 5th, 11th, or 15th of each month, depending on the first letter of your last name. Here is the program for December 2022:

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Food Stamp Calendar: Utah Horizon Card for December 2022 and Where to Get SNAP Rebates